Friday, March 13, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1993, a blizzard some called the Storm of the Century dumped snow across East Tennessee, including a whopping 60 inches on Mount LeConte. See the snowfall map here.

A simple Starbucks delivery turned into a life-changing moment for one Manchester DoorDash driver after the recipient launched a GoFundMe to get him back into retirement. See the details and the stunning amount raised in the story below.

Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping Americans prepare for economic uncertainty with a free Gold & Silver Kit explaining how precious metals like gold and silver have historically helped protect wealth during recessions and periods of inflation.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Memphis Pastor Defends Afghan Refugee

A Memphis pastor is urging federal officials to halt the deportation of a 21-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker being held at an ICE detention facility in Texas.

Advocates say the woman and her family entered the U.S. in August 2025 after meeting the legal standard for “credible fear,” but she now faces removal while her appeal is still pending.

The pastor argues she could face severe persecution if returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan because she is Hazara, an ethnic minority, and tied to a family member who converted to Christianity.

Her attorney has filed an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals, and local leaders are asking officials to pause deportation until the case is resolved.

Thousands Raised for Elderly DoorDash Driver

A Manchester woman launched a fundraiser after noticing an elderly DoorDash driver struggling to complete a delivery.

Brittany Smith shared Ring camera footage online to help identify the driver, Richard, and later learned he was working to cover expenses after his wife lost her job.

Smith jumped into action, starting a GoFundMe to help the couple with the goal of allowing Richard to retire again.

As of yesterday, the fundraiser had far surpassed its $20,000 goal, raising over $400,000. See the GoFundMe here.

Free Spring Hikes Set Across Tennessee

Tennessee State Parks will host free guided hikes next Saturday to celebrate the start of spring, with park staff leading visitors through natural, cultural, and historical highlights.

The hikes range from short, moderate walks to longer, more strenuous treks and will take place at parks across the state, including Seven Islands State Birding Park in Knox County and Panther Creek State Park near Morristown.

State officials say the event is designed for hikers of all experience levels and encourages residents to get outdoors as warmer weather arrives.

The spring outing is part of the park system’s annual Signature Hikes series, which also includes events on National Trails Day in June and after Thanksgiving.

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The Next Recession Is Coming. And Experts Warn:
“This Time, You’re the Collateral”

You can probably feel it. The markets are shaking. And the data confirms it. A recession isn’t just likely, it’s inevitable. The cracks in the system aren’t just cracks anymore.

They’re looking like fractures.

War is raging in the Middle East.
Debt levels are at historic highs.
Wall Street is on edge.
Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.

One wrong move and the whole thing could snap. But here’s the part many aren’t willing to admit. America may not be prepared. The next recession likely won’t look like 2008… it could look much worse. Because this time, the average American may be the shock absorber.

Thousands of Americans Are Moving Into Physical Assets

Physical precious metals like gold and silver are real, tangible wealth. They don’t depend on Wall Street, Washington, or the job market. Their value has historically risen when confidence in the economy falls. That’s why so many people are scrambling to get a hold of Goldco’s free Gold & Silver Kit.

Your FREE Gold & Silver Kit from the top precious metals company, Goldco, reveals:

Why gold is often a safe haven during recessions
What makes gold and silver a potentially powerful buffer during economic downturns
The truth about inflation—and how it silently drains your wealth

This guide gives you the critical insights you need to help protect what you’ve earned.

>>Claim Your Free Gold & Silver Kit Today<<

➤ Collierville: Martha Sundquist, Tennessee’s first lady from 1995 to 2003 during Gov. Don Sundquist’s administration, died Wednesday at age 88. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The Cerebral Palsy Center is seeking $27,000 in donations to replace its parking lot after a rotting tree beneath the asphalt caused a sinkhole. (See Video)

➤ McMinnville: Veterans raised concerns after the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System announced plans to close the McMinnville VA Clinic by May 31, citing staffing shortages, with patients transitioning to other facilities. (More)

➤ Brentwood: Officials are urging Metro Nashville to amend the Nashville Electric Service charter to allow Williamson County representation on the utility’s board, saying decisions affect customers beyond Davidson County. (More)

➤ Memphis: The airport launched GoodMaps, a free AI-powered navigation app that provides travelers with multilingual directions, audio guidance, and accessible routes throughout the terminal. (More)

➤ Also Memphis: The botanical garden will host Tulips at Twilight on April 3, inviting guests to walk among thousands of blooming tulips while enjoying live music, drinks, and a colorful evening light display. (See Details)

➤ Memphis fired women’s basketball coach Alex Simmons after three seasons and a 30-61 record, despite her two national championships as a player at Tennessee in the mid-2000s. (More)

➤ Nashville SC played to a scoreless draw with Inter Miami in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, setting up the decisive second leg at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale next Wednesday. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans traded for Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, swapping late-round picks to get the deal done. (More)

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➤ Create Energy announced a $78 million Tennessee expansion, acquiring a 338,000-square-foot facility and creating 1,003 jobs to manufacture solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging technologies. (See Details)

➤ Sevierville and Sevier County officials are exploring redevelopment of the former Smokies Stadium site in Kodak, with plans considering a mixed-use project featuring an amphitheater, hotel, retail, dining, and workforce housing. (More)

➤ Pelican & Pig, an award-winning East Nashville restaurant featured on Netflix, will close on Saturday after seven years, as rising property taxes made it too expensive to stay open. (More)

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The next recession is coming, and experts warn: “This Time, You’re the Collateral.” A recession isn’t just likely... It’s inevitable. The cracks in the system aren’t just cracks anymore.

Debt levels are at historic highs.
Consumer savings are drained.
Wall Street is on edge.
Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.

One wrong move and the whole thing could snap. That’s why thousands of Americans are turning to physical gold and silver. Your FREE Gold & Silver Kit from the top precious metals company, Goldco, reveals why gold is often a safe haven during recessions and the truth about inflation. Get your Free Guide today.

➤ A Brentwood woman with stage four colon cancer completed her goal of running a marathon in all 50 states with her friend, finishing the final race in California surrounded by supporters. (See Video)

➤ The Chattanooga Zoo has introduced Finnegan, a fennec fox, as its first-ever official mascot to greet guests, appear at events, and promote wildlife education. (See Finnegan)

➤ Nashville native Jelly Roll joined the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, celebrating his journey from troubled Nashville youth to Grammy-winning country star and redemption advocate. (See Photos)

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